Aircraft wheel release channel

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices related to aircraft wheel assemblies and aircraft wheel air pressure release channels. In various embodiments, an inboard aircraft wheel half may comprise an inboard flange portion disposed on an inboard end of the inboard wheel half, a bolted flange portion disposed on an outboard end of the inboard wheel half, and a tubewell portion disposed between the inboard flange portion and the bolted flange portion. In various embodiments, the bolted flange portion may comprise an o-ring seat, an inboard bolt hole, a register, and a release channel disposed in the register.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An inboard aircraft wheel half, comprising:
 an inboard flange portion, disposed on an inboard end of the inboard wheel half; 
 a bolted flange portion, disposed on an outboard end of the inboard wheel half, the bolted flange portion comprising an o-ring seat, an inboard bolt hole, a register, and a release channel disposed in the register, 
 wherein the register and the entire release channel are disposed axially outboard from the o-ring seat, axially inboard of a mating face, and between the o-ring seat and the mating face; and 
 a tubewell portion, disposed between the inboard flange portion and the bolted flange portion, 
 wherein the release channel comprises a sharp edge configured to at least one of abrade or cut an o-ring in response to physical contact between the sharp edge and the o-ring. 
 
     
     
       2. The inboard wheel half of  claim 1 , wherein the sharp edge comprises a ninety-degree angle. 
     
     
       3. The inboard wheel half of  claim 1 , wherein the release channel comprises a sharp vertex. 
     
     
       4. The inboard wheel half of  claim 1 , wherein the release channel is radially aligned with, and disposed radially outward of, the inboard bolt hole. 
     
     
       5. The inboard wheel half of  claim 4 , wherein the inboard bolt hole is disposed in the bolted flange portion. 
     
     
       6. The inboard wheel half of  claim 1 , wherein the register comprises a circumferential ridge disposed on an outer diameter of the bolted flange portion. 
     
     
       7. The inboard wheel half of  claim 1 , wherein the release channel comprises a groove extending in an axial direction. 
     
     
       8. An aircraft wheel assembly, comprising:
 an outboard wheel half, comprising a plurality of outboard bolt holes and an outboard mating face; 
 an inboard wheel half, coupled to the outboard wheel half by a plurality of tie bolts, and comprising: 
 an inboard flange portion, disposed on an inboard end of the inboard wheel half; 
 a bolted flange portion, disposed on an outboard end of the inboard wheel half, the bolted flange portion further comprising an inboard mating face, an o-ring seat, a plurality of inboard bolt holes, a register, and a release channel disposed in the register, 
 wherein the register and the entire release channel are disposed axially outboard from the o-ring seat, axially inboard of the inboard mating face, and between the o-ring seat and the inboard mating face; and 
 a tubewell portion, disposed between the inboard flange portion and the bolted flange portion; and 
 an o-ring, disposed on the o-ring seat and between the inboard wheel half and the outboard wheel half, 
 wherein an edge defining the release channel is configured to at least one of abrade and cut the o-ring in response to physical contact between the edge and the o-ring. 
 
     
     
       9. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the o-ring is configured to create a seal between the inboard wheel half and the outboard wheel half. 
     
     
       10. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 9 , wherein, in response to migration of the o-ring in an outboard direction, air flows through the release channel in the outboard direction. 
     
     
       11. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the release channel comprises a sharp edge. 
     
     
       12. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the sharp edge comprises a ninety-degree angle. 
     
     
       13. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the release channel comprises a sharp vertex. 
     
     
       14. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the release channel is radially aligned with, and disposed outward of, one of the plurality of inboard bolt holes. 
     
     
       15. The aircraft wheel assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the outboard mating face is in contact with the inboard mating face.